Governance
"Board Members Are Sick And Tired Of The Musicians' Complaining" In Colorado
Mon, Sep 9, 2011
by Drew McManus
If you’ve been following events at the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO) this past week, you’ve probably scratched your head in confusion more than once. What started off as a comparatively typical request to reopen the master agreement following news of dire financial conditions has culminated in one of the most theatrical displays from a stakeholder
What's a Performing Arts Executive Worth?
Mon, Sep 9, 2011
by Drew McManus
I had the pleasure last week of recording a segment for WQXR.org’s Conducting Business program with host Jeff Spurgeon on the topic of executive compensation within the performing arts field. In addition to myself was Debra Oppenheim, the co-founder of Phillips Oppenheim, an executive search firm that specializes in arts institutions. It was a terrific
Rise Of The Planet Of The Managers
Mon, Aug 8, 2011
I’m flattered to be asked by Drew to be a guest contributor. I still recall my first acquaintance with Adaptistration, about seven years ago when I was with the West Virginia Symphony – and I’m probably not the only manager who had this experience. CONDUCTOR: “Our website was just panned by Adaptistration.” ME: “What’s Adaptistration?”
The model, one year later…Even deader, or still not dead yet?
Thu, Aug 8, 2011
by curtlong
Thank you, Drew, for inviting me to be a guest contributor now for I believe the fourth time (counting TAFTO). Sometime I have played it safe by sharing thoughts on the practical (and not particularly exciting) side of orchestra management. But last year I tackled more ambitious “what the much maligned orchestra business model really
Looking At Smaller Budget Groups Amidst The Economic Downturn
Tue, Jul 7, 2011
by Drew McManus
I received an intriguing email yesterday from Lee GrothOlson, Bartlesville Symphony General Manager, wondering about my take on how smaller budget groups are weathering the economic downturn. When compared to their larger budget peers, most smaller budget orchestras I am aware of (those up through $1.5mil annual budget) tend to have fewer challenges managing debt
